NEWS
3 charged with Eversley’s murder, theft of 123 guns appear in court
Hours before the funeral of Municipal Police Corporal Anuska Eversley, one of her colleagues and two other men appeared virtually in court charged with four offences, including murder. It was also finally revealed that 123 guns were stolen from the San Fernando Municipal Police Station on the night Eversley was murdered. Municipal Police Constable Jivan “Biggs” Cooper, 28, of La Sophie Trace, Claxton Bay; Kwame Arnold, 20, of Lodge Road, Claxton Bay and Nicholas “Nico” Ramdass, 24, also of Lodge Road, Claxton Bay, were remanded into custody by High Court Master Delicia Bethelmy. The charges stemmed from an incident on April 19, when Eversley was found murdered inside the San Fernando Municipal Police Station at King’s Wharf and a large quantity of firearms and ammunition stolen. An autopsy found that Eversley, 41, was strangled and beaten...read more
NH International loses HDC $3.4B contracts challenge
The Housing Development Corporation has successfully defended itself against 11 complaints brought against it by NH International before the Office of Procurement Regulation, clearing the way for a multi-billion-dollar housing programme to proceed. NH International had challenged its exclusion from a procurement exercise for 3,700 housing units, covering building and infrastructure works valued at more than $3.48 billion.The Office of Procurement Regulation’s tribunal delivered its rulings yesterday, dismissing each of the 11 applications.The tribunal found that the complaints failed to meet the requirements of Section 50(2)(a) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act, 2015, as amended, and Regulation 4(b) of the Challenge Proceedings Regulations 2021...read more
CoP: Fear of crime fueling public paranoia
POLICE COMMISSIONER Allister Guevarro said yesterday that the fear of crime had people in a state of paranoia and afraid to cooperate with police.The top cop had previously raised the issue of fear of crime on April 16 at a T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce meeting and said then that fear, more than crime itself, is becoming one of the most damaging forces affecting Trinidad and Tobago’s economy and public confidence. He argued that national discourse around crime is being distorted, despite data showing measurable improvements...read more
POLITICS
‘Too much burden on Kamla’
Political analyst gives PM an ‘A’ grade but complains only 8 of her 26 ministers are performing
Political analyst Dr Shane Mohammed has given Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar an 80 per cent rating for her first year in office, describing her leadership of the United National Congress (UNC) as “outstanding” and resilient. However, he has warned that the rest of her Cabinet must transition from “actors” to “actioners” to meet the Government’s mandate, saying they are ultimately putting too much of the burden on her. He said Persad-Bissessar and just eight Cabinet members are currently “carrying” the Government, arguing that the performance of the remaining “non-performers” has dragged the administration’s overall rating down to 66.25 per cent...read more
Bold moves or risky bets?
T&T recalibrates foreign policy one year after election
One year ago today, on April 28, 2025, the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago went to the polls and delivered a mandate that would do more than just change a domestic agenda. For years, the nation’s foreign policy was characterised as a left-leaning stance centred on non-interference, often positioning T&T as a sovereign actor distinct from the influence of global powers.Since the 2025 mandate, however, the administration of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has shifted this trajectory, moving toward a security-based alliance with the United States under the framework of the “Donroe Doctrine.”This departure from traditional policy is framed by a statement from former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, who had emphasised a strict adherence to autonomy during a Parliamentary sitting on January 25, 2019: “We in Trinidad and Tobago, under all our governments, all our governments, we have preserved the sovereign position of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. If today there are people in the opposition who believe they have to take instructions from somebody else and the US Embassy on Marli Street, then you’re on your own. Leave the PNM out of that...read more
BUSINESS
George Aboud passes on
George Aboud, who died on Sunday night at the age of 77 after a period of illness, was yesterday described as a pioneer and giant of T&T’s business landscape, leaving behind a retail and property empire built over decades.Aboud’s name became synonymous with commerce in Port-of-Spain and beyond, starting in the fabric trade and expanding into malls, pharmacies and large-scale real estate. Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) president Gregory Aboud, a relative, said, “He was a pioneering businessman in many senses. He came from a long line of self-made men in the Aboud family who forged their way ahead, with little formal education and with very humble beginnings, to become quite significant on the business landscape, in particular in the capital of Port of Spain...read more
Digicel reprices loan amid turnaround signs
Digicel has successfully repriced its term loan due in 2032. In a news release on Friday, the telecommunications company explained, “The transaction lowers Digicel’s borrowing costs on its existing debt and reflects improved operating performance, disciplined financial management, and continued progress since its refinancing last year. The repricing of its first lien term loan follows a recent US$100 million voluntary prepayment, underscoring Digicel’s focus on deleveraging and fiscal discipline.” Digicel Group’s chief financial officer, Leopoldo Gutierrez, said the repricing strengthens the company’s credit profile and builds strong support from lenders...read more
GraceKennedy leads trading
OVERALL stock market activity resulted from trading in 17 securities of which six advanced, two declined and nine traded firm. Trading activity resulted in the following movements of the TTSE Indices: The All T&T Index declined by 0.60 points to close at 1,392.92. The Composite Index advanced by 0.09 points to close at 961.65. The Cross-Listed Index advanced by 0.12 points to close at 70...read more
The SME Index remained at 89.81.
REGIONAL
Commonwealth Observer Group commences work in Antigua – Barbuda, 2026 General Elections
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The Commonwealth Observer Group has commenced its work in Antigua and Barbuda for the 2026 General Elections, following its deployment by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey. The Group is being led by Dr Pelonomi Venson, former minister of foreign affairs of Botswana, and comprises three other eminent experts drawn from across the Commonwealth with experience in election administration, politics, civil society and the media. The Group was constituted by the secretary-general following an invitation from the government of Antigua and Barbuda. Deploying the team, secretary-general Botchwey said...read more
Jamaica embarks on ‘Tourism 3.0’ Initiative
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (JIS) – Tourism minister, Edmund Bartlett, announced that the government has embarked on a transformative initiative to reshape Jamaica’s tourism sector under a new framework he has termed – ‘Tourism 3.0’. Minister Bartlett explained that this new shift is designed to modernise the way the industry operates, making it more efficient, inclusive, and accessible to a wider range of investors and stakeholders—particularly small operators and creative entrepreneurs, who have often been left out of the growth story...read more
INTERNATIONAL
Trump again urges ABC to dismiss Kimmel over first lady remark
Donald and Melania Trump both called for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel on Monday after a joke last week in which the late-night comic described the first lady as having “the glow of an expectant widow.” The remark about the president’s wife was part of a routine on Thursday’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” where the host pretended to deliver a comedy routine at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. That event two nights later was cut short when a man armed with guns and knives tried to enter the Washington ballroom where the Trumps and much of the nation’s political leadership had gathered. “People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate,” Melania Trump said in a social media post later echoed by her husband...read more
UAE to quit OPEC in blow to world’s leading oil exporters, as Iran war roils energy sector
UAE quits oil cartel: The United Arab Emirates will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) this week, as the Iran war roils global energy markets. The price of oil climbed above $110 a barrel for the first time in three weeks today. Peace talks: US President Donald Trump does not appear open to Iran’s proposal to end the war, sources said. The proposal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz but leave questions about Tehran’s nuclear program for later negotiations. An LNG tanker passed through the strait for the first time since the start of the conflict, according to a shipping analytics firm...read more
28th April 2026